Question
We have a 20 foot Bald Cypress in our front yard. The landscaping company planted it 10-15 feet from the house and in a low area of the yard. This year has been unusually wet here in Oklahoma City. As a result, we have knees coming up all around the house and we are concerned about our house's foundation and are debating removing the tree. What would you suggest?

Answer
You can install barriers along the foundation to stop the roots. Sounds like the tree is too close to the house. Bald cypress can grow large  50 to 70 feet in height with roughly 30 foot spread with the roots spreading to about 45-60 feet from the trunk. The "cypress knees" usually only develop when grown in or near water for most of the year. In wet soil conditions, the bald cypress will form sections of root growing above ground to gather oxygen. Since they grow in water the roots will seek water and grow toward a good water source.
If the roots are ruining your foundation I am sorry your best bet is to remove the tree. The roots will sprout from a cut tree. I would treat the stump when you cut the tree with a herbicide called Roundup. The Roundup will be taken up by the stump and transported to the root system killing the system. That way there will be no new sprouts coming from the roots. Roundup can be found at any nursery/ garden type store. Roundup will kill any plant so make sure you do not get the mixture on any leaf of a plant you do not want to kill. I would get an old paint brush and paint the stump with the Roundup that way a spray will not be carried by the wind to adjacent plants. Throw the brush away after you finish.